Asbestos State Resource Locator

Washington

Federal Regulations

• U.S. EPA. Asbestos was widely used in buildings for fireproofing, thermal and acoustical insulation, condensation control, and decoration. It was sprayed on beams and ceilings, used to cover piping and boilers, and sprayed into ducts. Asbestos was used extensively until the 1970s when the U.S. EPA banned certain applications.
  
  When asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed by repair, remodeling or demolition activities, microscopic fibers become airborne and can be inhaled into the lungs, where they can cause significant health problems.
  
  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman (ASBO), Office of Small Business Programs, under the Office of the Administrator, serves as a conduit for small businesses to access EPA and facilitates communications between the small business community and the Agency.
  
  
• Asbestos NESHAP. The Asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) (40 CFR 61, subpart M) protects the public by minimizing the release of asbestos fibers during renovation and demolition activities. Accordingly, this regulation specifies work practices to be followed for demolitions and renovations of all structures, installations, and buildings.
• OSHA. The OSHA asbestos standard ( 29 CFR 1926.1101) applies to employees exposed during the removal of asbestos and includes requirements for engineering controls, work practices, personal protective equipment, exposure assessment, medical surveillance, and training.

Primary State Asbestos Web Page

Contact Information

State asbestos contacts.

EPA Regional Small Business Liaison (RSBL).

Small Business Environmental Assistance Program state contacts.

Other Asbestos-Related Resources:

• Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Assistance Information Service. The TSCA Hotline provides technical assistance and information about asbestos and other substances regulated under the act.
• CICA Center - The Construction Industry Compliance Assistance Center provides information on asbestos regulations that relate to the construction industry.
• Understanding the Asbestos NESHAP Fact Sheet (Revised Feb. 2014) - This easy-to-read fact sheet from Michigan DNRE simplifies the federal Clean Air Act requirements that protect the public from the release of asbestos fibers during renovation and demolition activities. The fact sheet explains what specific renovation and demolition activities are regulated under the standard and what the requirements are including: notification, work practice standards, and waste disposal. A must-read for commercial building owners and managers, municipal officials, and contractors.
• EPA Resources for Asbestos NESHAP Compliance . Various helpful resources related to health, regulations and related topics.
• Recordkeeping for Asbestos Operation and Management (O&M) Plans
• Become a Trained and Accredited Asbestos Professional. Training for asbestos professionals is required under the EPA Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (MAP). The MAP requires the use of trained and accredited asbestos professionals when conducting asbestos inspections or designing or conducting response actions at schools and public and commercial buildings.
  
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